Gen. David Petraeus congratulated the Afghan Ministry of Defense on Wednesday for reaching its goal of having 134,000 trained national army soldiers - two months ahead of schedule.

Petraeus, commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, said the growth of the national army is encouraging as Afghan troops work together with coalition forces to "achieve our common goals in the new Afghanistan."

Petraeus said the Afghan army had about 107,000 soldiers less than six months ago.

"Increasing the size and capability of the Afghan security forces is a central element of the joint Afghan-ISAF strategy to increase security for the Afghan people in areas challenged by the insurgency," Petraeus said.

"Such security provides the foundation on which local governance can be developed, basic services for the people can be improved, and a brighter future for the next generation of Afghan citizens can be built."

Petraeus formally assumed command of the NATO-led international alliance in July.

He has said he supports President Barack Obama's plan to begin withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan in July 2011 - but says it ought to be based on "conditions on the ground."

soundoff(22 Responses)

Smith in Oregon

Isn't it amazing how many Afghanistan's you can get to sign up when you give out piles of freshly minted American taxpayer hundred dollar bills to poor improvised people? They'll of course be happy to accept the piles of free money and sign up but don't expect them to show up nor fight any Taliban fighters.

Sharia law in Quran :- ( Surat The Night Journey{23. Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour.

24. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: "My Lord! bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood." } /Surat The Table Spread {8. O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do. } /Surat The Cow {256. Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things. } /Surat Repentance {6. If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah. and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge. }

Surat The Table Spread {50. Do they then seek after a judgment of (the days of) ignorance? But who, for a people whose faith is assured, can give better judgment than Allah. } /Surat The Sovereignty {14. Should He not know,- He that created? and He is the One that understands the finest mysteries (and) is well-acquainted (with them). }

Stop talking about Afghanistan you stupid f00k pakistani, you have no right to talk about Afghans and afghans have no relation with pakistani f00ks.

Indeed we never liked Pakistani f00ks and Afghanistan is now full of Pakistani f00ks working like donkeys for us.

Just leave us alone stupid pakistanies and go work in your own country.
Pakistani government is not providing jobs that's why you pakistanies are all terrorists.

Just shut down kos mather and stop calling Hindu or whateva.
I am a Muslim, 25 years old, Programmer, completed my BCS and finished my MCS. I have nothing to hide to be Hindu.
Alhamdulelah I am son of a Muslim and i am proud Afghan. WHY F00K I SHOULD PRETENT TO BE A F00KIN Hindu ????

SHUT UP YOU STUPID CHEAP F00K PAKISTANI AND STOP TALKING ABOUT AFGHANS!!!

This is a very good news that the Afghan Army is taking root.In fact the whole problem is created by Pakistan who wants to annex Afghanistan and make it its fifth province.Pakistan practises outdated anti-Indian medieval Arab/Muslim Imperialism.It sometimes attacks Kashmir, sometimes Kabul through Pashtun tribal people who are brave but illiterate and wild and don't understand modern world trends.Their sole activity through out ages, has been loot and plunder of India.They used to join all the invaders who descended over India in the medieval ages.
Pakistan is the greatest threat to unity and integrity of Afghanistan.In the present situation,India is the truest friend of Afghanistan.Pakistan is unable to control the tribal belt, so it encourages them to do wrong things and attack neighbours.Gen.Hamid Gul(Retd.) is the Father ofTaliban.Anti-Indianism is the creed of Pakistan and Pashtuns come handy in this dirty game.

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